The method currently requires you to sit in just the right place to see a 3D image, though. But that hasn’t stopped Philips from building displays based on the technology.
“Our STB can work with all types of 3D display, allowing the broadcaster to broadcast just one signal”, claimed the Sagem spokesman.
So how does the STB work?
The broadcaster starts by encoding their 3D signal, compressing it for transmission and then broadcasting it in MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 format, Sagem told us.
A Sensio-manufactured chip then decodes the signal using a “predictive algorithm” and prepares it for output – over HDMI –to the viewer’s 3D-capable TV. It’s this final preparation stage that Sagem claimed enables the STB to work with any 3D TV.
Click for an explanation of how Sky 3D works
Sagem stressed that its STB is still at the proof-of-concept stage, but claimed that it recently demonstrated a working model at the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) in Amsterdam.
However, during IBC the STB took its 3D content from a server because of a lack of broadcasters currently transmitting 3D programmes.
And here lies the major stumbling block, because very few broadcasters currently have 3D channels up and running. Sky, for example, has promised to launch one next year.
Sagem admitted that a “good amount” of 3D content will probably become widely available until 2011.
So although the STB won’t help put 50 3D channels onto your living room TV by next week, the unit does - Sagem claimed - add confidence to the 3D market for both broadcasters and consumers. ®
3D tech-agnostic set-top box designed
COMMENTS
6 Eyes
So SKY's current approach will lead to a nation of spectacle wearers having to put on two pairs of glasses to watch 3D TV? Back to the drawing board I think, not only for SKY, but for this set top box. Unless Specsavers are planning a range of prescription 3D specs for the future?!
never mind 3d
whats the point. I paid for a hd tv, and got Sky HD (£29), but show me where the take up of that is for every program on TV. not even Top Gear is HD, but last of the Summer wine is?
Never mind 3d, get me a full hd service first.....then maybe in about 5-10 years I might do 3d LOL
Surely..
...An STB that can 'translate' any type of 3D TV signal for display on a non '3D TV' would be more useful?
If consumers want 3D TV, and Sky are likely to be the first to market with a channel then you can faily safely bet that which ever method they choose is likely to become the standard.. this would give a box that can display any 3D signal 'only' on any 3D TV a very limited market of wealthy early adopters that chose the wrong one.
And if they can afford to be an early adopter of 3D TV are they going to buy an STB to fix it or just buy a new 3D TV that works..
Standards...
Really what is needed is a standard 3D Broadcast Technology, Then set manufactures can do what they wish to process the Stereo Image.
Who Defined Colour Television? the broadcaster or the consumer? Passing the Buck to the consumer only costs the consumer money, and stalls takeup (Bluray HD-DVD) when the manufacturers rake in double.. it ruins the consumer relationship. Broadcasters need to take the lead!
However that would rely upon the Broadcasters cooperating.. (how likely is that? how likely is monopoly commission involvement? kangaroo anyone?) or a big Broadcaster taking the lead (which wont happen if the guberment breaks them up!! or splits the licence fee amongst the others)...
Solutions exist, Government Quangos and greed prevent.
